How to Build a Franchisee Empire with BizAv

Amidst the dynamic landscape of Houston, Texas – a city pulsating with energy, innovation, and towering skyscrapers – one individual's name shines brightly in the realm of entrepreneurship: Jonathan Spindler. Private aviation has helped him in his success story. To learn how, read on...

With an unparalleled vision and a knack for seizing opportunities, Jonathan has etched his path to triumph through a pioneering approach to franchising. His expansive portfolio spans diverse industries, ranging from coffee shops to adventure parks and swim schools, reflecting his unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation.

And at the heart of his journey lies a strategic utilization of Business Aviation.

Setting Sail for Success

Spindler's entrepreneurial odyssey commenced in childhood, where his industrious spirit manifested in ventures like running a lemonade stand.

Hailing from the scenic locales of Telluride, Colorado, and Houston, Texas, Jonathan's formative years were marked by a passion for sailing, igniting his aspiration to become a ship’s captain.

Following his high school years, he embarked on a maritime career, navigating the seas aboard oil tankers and Princess Cruise Liners, before assuming the helm of an oil and gas drilling ship and overseeing a crew of 200. While he found fulfilment in seafaring, Spindler’s familial ties beckoned him back to Houston, prompting a shift towards a new horizon.

Delving into literature such as ‘Winning’ by Jack Welch and ‘Rich Dad, Poor Dad’ by Robert Kiyosaki, he embarked on a quest for financial independence. Inspired by Kiyosaki’s renowned board game, ‘Cashflow’, Spindler resolved to liberate himself from the rat race.

A fortuitous opportunity led him to join a Houston-based family office, where his maritime expertise seamlessly transitioned into operational prowess, delving into realms such as P&L management, real estate, and hotel franchises.

While at the family office, Spindler had the opportunity to use private jets and experience the time-saving benefits they offer. Three years hence, armed with newfound knowledge and ambition, he ventured into franchising, propelled by a strategic framework he meticulously crafted with his wife.

He and his wife sat down and mapped out what criteria they were going to use to invest and came up with a four-point system:

• Does it hit a financial target that we want to achieve?
• Do we like the brand (do their core values align with ours)?
• Does it work for our family, and is it something we can be proud of?
• Do we believe in the leadership team?

Jonathan Spindler being interviewed by Fabrizio Poli at this year’s Sun ‘n Fun show

The Rise of a Franchise Mogul

Spindler's foray into franchising was guided by a singular vision: to invest in family-friendly franchises with vast scalability potential.

Recognizing the inherent advantages of the franchise model in mitigating risk while fostering rapid expansion, he embarked on a quest to identify lucrative opportunities aligned with his ethos.

Armed with astute market insights and strategic foresight, Spindler swiftly emerged as a franchisee powerhouse, spearheading a multitude of ventures under the banner of Waterlake Capital.

Among the jewels adorning Waterlake Capital's crown is Urban Air Adventure, a burgeoning franchise offering an array of indoor entertainment attractions catering to families and thrill-seekers alike. From trampoline parks to virtual reality experiences, Urban Air Adventure centers provide an immersive haven for individuals of all ages to revel in exhilarating escapades, and to forge cherished memories.

Recognizing the importance of water safety and swimming proficiency, Spindler also sought to invest into a franchise – Goldfish Swim Schools – that revolutionizes the way children learn to swim.

Unlike traditional swimming programs, Goldfish Swim Schools aim to offer a warm and inviting atmosphere designed to foster confidence and skill development in young swimmers.

Meanwhile, in the competitive world of specialty coffee, Jonathan saw an opportunity to carve out a niche by becoming a franchisee of Scooter’s Coffee Shops.

With a commitment to serving handcrafted beverages made from the finest ingredients, Scooter’s has emerged as a beloved destination for coffee enthusiasts seeking premium-quality drinks with unparalleled convenience.

Through a combination of drive-thru locations, cafes, and a diverse menu of beverages and snacks, Scooter’s Coffee Shops has cultivated a loyal following and continues to expand its presence in communities across the country.

Spindler's affinity for aviation, akin to his passion for sailing, culminated in a pivotal decision to embrace flying as both a hobby and a business tool.

Inspired by his father's ownership of a small Cessna during his upbringing, Spindler obtained his Private Pilot’s License and embarked on airborne adventures with a Cirrus SR22T.

With many of his franchises nestled in small towns across Indiana and Georgia, the Cirrus proved indispensable and facilitated swift travel between locations, while fostering greater operational efficiency.

Indeed, since using his small Cirrus single-engine piston airplane for work, he has tripled his business and is now ready to take things to the next level.

Spindler recently secured the use of a brand-new Epic E1000 GX single-engine turboprop, the incredible features and performance of which, he shares, is what convinced him to start flying higher (above 30,000ft, at 300 knots) while still getting him and his team into all the short airfields the Cirrus SR22T does.

According to Spindler, he found the Epic E1000 GX to be a better solution than one of the various single pilot jets that are available on the market because of the short-field performance, jet-like speed, versatility, and much lower operating costs.

And as he takes to the skies with a higher performance aircraft, Spindler will be expecting his aircraft to serve as the catalyst for exponential business growth, underscoring the transformative potential of private aviation in franchising endeavors.

Embarking on this exhilarating new chapter, Spindler’s ascent into the stratosphere of franchising and aviation is nothing short of awe-inspiring. With each flight, he transcends boundaries, redefining the essence of entrepreneurial success and leaving an indelible mark on both land and sky.

Read similar interviews with aircraft owners on AvBuyer

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